Scott Wykoff's Blog

Saturday, January 16, 2010

It's Matthew's Call

It was an interview like no other that I have heard on the radio in a very long time.

WBAL's Keith Mills was joined on Sportsline Friday night by his old friend and former colleague WMAR-TV's Jamie Costello. For the better part of a half hour Jamie shared with Keith and WBAL listeners the inspirational story of his 14-year-old son Matthew.

To hear Jamie talk about what his son is up against and the strength the teenager is showing in the face of tremendous adversity was amazing.

Not only is Matthew battling an inoperable brain tumor and bravely facing his chemotherapy head on, but he is also giving inspiration to all those around him.

Take Ravens Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron for example. Cam's son is a friend and classmate of Matthew's at Loyola Blakefield. Matthew plays football for the Dons. So inspired by Matthew's journey, Cam has turned to Matthew to help him calling plays for the Ravens during the team's playoff run. Do you know who called that 83 yard touchdown run by Ray Rice? That's right, Matthew!

CLICK HERE to read ESPN's Rick Reilly's story about Matthew and his Ravens play calling expertise

The Jamie Costello you see on TV here in Baltimore is the same Jamie Costello who is a husband, dad and a friend to many here in Baltimore.

"It's surreal, it's not happening," Jamie said when Keith asked him what it his like seeing his son going through the battle of a lifetime. So imagine what it was like for Jamie when he was a Gillette Stadium covering the Ravens game last week and Ray Rice broke free on that memorable run.

CLICK HERE for Jamie's blog talking about this week's game and the grudge he has held for a quarter century

A few weeks ago those touchdown passes to Todd Heap were plays called by Matthew.

"The Ravens are keeping him afloat," Jamie told Keith Mills when asked what the team meant to his son. "He watches and listens to all the coverage he can. It keeps him going."

So what can we expect from Matthew this week when Cam Cameron calls him from Indy to find out what play Matthew has in mind for the Ravens against the Colts?

Jamie said who knows, maybe Matthew will go with a "double reverse flea flicker. I bet it would work.